Elochukwu Cautions FG Against Jega’s Removal

A political activist and
Managing Director of Nestello Gateway Group of Company, Chief Ernest Elochukwu, says the Federal Government would be making a big mistake if it removes the Chairman of the Independent National  Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega ahead of this year’s general elections.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Elochukwu said the integrity and credibility of the forthcoming elections would be eroded if the  planned removal of Jega is not supported by a concrete evidence of ineptitude and bad conduct.
“I see the call for Jega’s head concerning the issue of distribution of permanent voter cards as a malicious insinuation in the sense that the registration and distribution of PVCs is purely in the hands of various field officers under INEC.
“Worst still is that even when the PVCs are made available, most Nigerians are not ethusisiatic to go and collect them, knowing fully well that it is the only passport or authority that can guarantee them the right to vote for a credible candidate of their choice at the polls,” he said.
Elochukwu premised the reason for the lukewarm attitude of people towards collecting their PVCs on peoples’ disillusionment, especially when they see that many undemocratic things are done with impurity.
“Besides, most Nigerian don’t believe in their heart that even with the PVCs, they have a say in determining who will be where.
“Though, Jega as a person is not indispensable, but for anyone trying to attribute the ugly scene to him to manipulate the election is a sheer wickedness”, he retorted.
Elochukwu therefore advised the Federal government to jettison the idea of removing Jega as being speculated, saying it will be parochial for the presidency to listen to some mischievous indviduauls who are trying to play up into the minds of government.